Original subtitles

No.

The stage is set with city lights.

A fight unfolds in the corners of the night.

Take your place here in the dark.

Don't forget, you know you're mine.

Don't turn your back.

You're part of the act.

Watch for your chance to attack.

You're part of the act.

Her lips are warm, but the smile is tight.

Somehow it's harder with all the glaring light.

Make your move, girl.

Don't look now.

You've lost control.

Don't turn your back.

Part of the act.

There is no time to relax.

Part of the act.

It would be easy to stop and rest your head.

It would be easy to wake up dead.

Okay,

I got it. I got it.

I got it.

The stakes are high on the underside.

Savoy Hotel.

Take your

place here in the dark. Don't forget, you know your

part. Don't turn your back.

Go, Olivia.

This is the Savoy Hotel.

Our phone lines are temporarily out of order. Please try your call again later.

Here's that 20 I owe you.

We're even.

Oh, Jesus.

Hello. Sit tight.

It's going down.

Damn. I know somebody's watching us.

I'm going to take a spin around the block.

Gotcha.

I'm going to start now.

Let me in on the robot.

My arm. Please, I got arthritis real bad.

Yeah. Okay, pal.

One peep out of you.

Get tomorrow.

Goodbye.

Come on. I gotta have some wine. I gotta have a drink.

You know...

Under different circumstances I'm sure I'd find this most enjoyable.

Car 17 to dispatcher. Can you read me?

Dispatcher here. What's up?

I think we have competition from another company.

Local or national?

I don't know yet.

Get back to me again in ten minutes. Out.

There are two people in the car across the street.

Well, they're not mine.

Maybe they're plain clothes. They're going to nap. They do it all the time.

I'll call back in ten minutes.

If they're still there, we take a walk.

All right, all right. Take it easy. I'll take care of it.

Car 17 is disbanded.

The competition has disappeared.

Even worse.

Even worse.

They never miss a beat.

And now you're fighting the grudge that you know.

Don't you try it. Revenge is a curse.

Don't you try to get even. Cause you'll just get even worse.

Even worse.

That's the first thing you think. Then you swallow your pride with a drink.

Well, you try to get eaten. But one thing is clear.

His slander and value inflicts you from ear to ear.

You're ready to burn. Don't you try to get even because you just can't.

Don't you try to get even because you just can't even burn.

Come on in.

Yeah, sit down.

I got some things I gotta talk to you about.

I'm sure you do.

I'll try to do whatever I can for you, but I am running late.

This time, you better listen to me.

Okay.

I'll listen?

Just remember I got a plane to catch.

Yeah, I guess some things never change, do they?

Harry, cut the bullshit.

How are you getting along with your new boss?

The President of the United States is a very demanding man, Harry.

Just like you were.

Like I was?

Like I am?

Why, don't start putting me down now. Don't put me in a past tense.

I want out of here.

I heard about what happened with the parole board.

I'm truly sorry about that. Forget it. That was yesterday.

Aren't you going to ask me about this robe?

Cross my mind, yeah.

You must have heard of Mahatma Gandhi.

Yeah. Well, that little dink was some piece of work.

You know, when he stopped eating, the whole British Empire collapsed.

What do you think would happen if me, Harry Krueger, stopped eating?

Look, I don't have time for this. My plane's leaving in a few minutes. It'll

wait.

If it doesn't, there'll be another one.

I didn't ask you to come here to waste time.

It'll be front page news on every newspaper in the world. When I stop

it's going to be the lead -in on every network news show.

Harry, you're having delusions.

No. No.

Because when Harry Krueger stops eating, the country stops eating.

The day after the news breaks about my hunger strike, my union,

my boys, boys and I, I started in the union with friends who never forgot

are going to slam shut the door on every refrigerator in America.

And that's why when Harry Krueger stops eating, the country stops eating.

What do you think of that?

I'm not sure.

Yeah, that's right. Sit down.

Take a couple of minutes. Digest my idea.

Like you said, there's always another plan.

Not for me.

This is my last shot.

You've got to explain it so that Frankie Boda and the man in the White House...

Understand that.

They're both running for re -election next year, huh?

Right?

They'll never win if they let me starve.

Harry, I want to break this to you gently, but a lot of people wish you

dead. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

There ain't a lot of people willing to go hungry.

Tucker, if our union trucks don't bring the food into the supermarkets, nobody

eats!

Nobody!

Harry. You're not the president of the union anymore.

Frankie Boda is.

He's very happy to have you right here.

You can be certain he's not going to tell the rank and file to support this

hunger strike.

Frankie Boda wouldn't piss on me if I were on fire. Who needs him?

It's easy for him to forget that I found him on a warehouse dock.

I put him in a position of power.

Boda.

But the rest of the people that I picked up along the way...

They're still running most of the Union locals.

And they don't forget Harry.

I tell you, if I starve, you'll see the biggest wildcat strike in history.

Take my word.

Talk that.

Except no one's going to believe that you're responsible for the strike.

Everybody's going to know that I'm responsible for the strike.

I can still get Cronkite and Brinkley, Barbara Walters, Reynolds, just like I

can make you come.

Harry, they're going to say you're stir -crazy.

I am, sir. That's why I want out of here.

And that's why I will be out of here. By Christmas.

That's less than four months.

Yeah. You can do it. I wish it was as simple as you make it seem.

It's very simple.

You're the key.

Now, you're still the lawyer for the union, so you get a voter. And you get

union's endorsement for the president's re -election in return for my release.

A presidential pardon. Yeah, yeah. It'll work. It'll work. It's more complicated

than you think.

It's not as complicated as my sitting down and stopping eating. Now, you tell

Boda and the president I've got to be out of here by Christmas.

That's the deadline.

I'll let you know what they say. No, you won't let me know. None of that. I'll

talk to you tomorrow. I'll get back to you. I'll call you on Monday.

You tell me right now and you'll do it. Harry, it looks like an election deal.

There isn't time to make this. Time?

What the hell do you know about time, you bloodless bastard?

Harry, what are you doing?

Christmas or I die.

Can you go with me?

I'll try Harry.

I'll really try.

Frankie.

Good to see you.

Nice to see you.

John, I know you don't care for wine, but you must let me pour you a glass

of this. It's a very friendly little Chablis someone introduced me to last

at the Paris Convention.

I'm glad to hear that you accomplished something over there.

Don, you remind me of every school teacher and social worker and truant

that tried to convince me that I should be so happy to remain a longshoreman all

my life long.

That's very nice.

Let's talk about Harry Krueger. At the risk of sounding insensitive, I don't

really care whether Harry Krueger dies slowly or rapidly, whether he...

jumps or starves just as long as he does it in the slammer where he can't harm

me.

Harry might be less of a problem outside jail than inside.

Not for me. I can't run the union having to look over my shoulder all the time

wondering what Harry the horse is doing.

No, it's okay with me if he wants to go on a starvation diet. I think that's

cool. Well, it could embarrass you in the rank -and -file membership, hear

talking like Mahatma Gandhi. Oh, Mahatma...

Harry Krueger is a tin horn Napoleon. He thinks he's on Elba planning a

comeback.

He's making lists of all the people that he's going to screw or have killed when

he gets out. And would you like to guess who's at the top of every one of those

lists? Me.

No, I'll keep Harry inside.

I know, Frankie, but he's got you in a no -win situation.

The rank and file are going to want you to take some action.

I'm going to be happy seeing one of their own suffer.

You cannot let Harry Krueger die.

Says who?

Your own people.

If they think you let Harry die because you're scared of him, they'll turn on

you like a pack of dogs.

If they think you didn't have the clout to go to the president to save him,

they'll turn their backs on you. They'll never listen to you again. Either way,

you lose.

That's very good for a Yale lawyer, Don, but there's one important fact that you

left out.

If I get flushed down the toilet, the president goes along for the ride.

He loses five million votes, and if that happens, you and your new boss are

going to be back on the street chasing tow trucks.

The president of the United States wants your friendship, Frankie.

He doesn't need it.

Last election, yes, but next year we'll get the numbers with or without the

union. Oh, bullshit, Donny boy. Everybody needs five million votes, but

leave that.

Now, with Harry on the outside, he's going to be a pain for both of us. You

that.

Are you scared of Harry Krueger? Sure.

He's like a father to me.

Of course I'm scared of him.

I suppose we all are.

What if I could work out something that would keep him off you?

Like what?

A piece of paper.

A binding agreement that he could not become involved in union activities as a

condition for a presidential pardon. He'd never sign it.

What if I could arrange it?

I would never let go of the union.

What if I can?

If you can get him to sign it, I'll do anything you want.

And I'll be at the front gate when they spring Harry with a brass band.

Do you think the president will do it for me?

Mark down the date Christmas Eve, Frankie.

I got brain to kick.

Where have you been, pucker?

Are you talking to me? Excuse me, sir, but the president has been asking for

every 15 minutes.

Well, I'm here now, right? Yes, sir.

Okay, lieutenant.

Good morning, Mr. President.

Frankie Boda sends his warmest personal regards.

Bet your ass he did.

Don, you know what you get when you cross a Polack with a member of the

Even you're going to like this, Don.

Nothing. Some things even a Polack won't do.

What did Boda say?

He's afraid to have Harry Kruger on the outside.

I don't blame him.

Harry Kruger's a very tough man.

How can we be sure Kruger isn't bluffing? Harry never bluffs. I'll tell

something about Harry Kruger.

I remember about ten years ago, just before a big rally, someone shot Harry

the arm.

Happened right in his hotel suite. We all stood there, frozen, but Harry, he

grabbed the guy and broke his neck.

I didn't read about this.

We never released it.

Harry didn't want anyone to know that he was vulnerable.

One of his own people, huh?

What did I tell you? Let him finish. Let him finish.

Harry changed his jacket. He didn't want anyone to see the blood.

Then he went out and gave his speech.

It was two o 'clock in the morning before we could get him to a doctor.

Now that is what I call tough.

would starve himself to death just to ruin me.

To bring this country down.

Cons are always getting killed in jail.

Nobodies.

They get stabbed by other cons, right? Or hang themselves out of desperation.

How come it's always nobodies?

Never someone who's a danger to the national security.

He could choke to death on a piece of meat.

Now that's done all the time.

You fat jerk -off.

How can you choke on a piece of meat when you're on a hunger strike?

You worked for him a long time, didn't you?

You knew him real well.

As well as anyone.

If he got out and got back on top, you'd go back to work for him, wouldn't you?

Are you implying something?

I don't have to imply. I'm the president.

I'm asking you a direct question.

I'll give you a direct answer.

I work for you.

I'm loyal to you.

If you doubt it, fire me.

So you could go to work for Kruger?

Sir?

Answer me, Tucker.

If you start this bullshit now, I'm going to go home.

Now, this man has busted his butt for you.

If you want to kick ass, go over to the Pentagon. That's where they need it.

You see, Don?

See what they're doing to me?

To the presidency, to the country?

Trying to bring it down.

The devil's at the gates.

The dregs are plotting in the jail cells.

I can't be sure of anybody anymore.

All right, Don.

This is what you get paid for.

What are we going to do?

The most acceptable solution would be to pardon him.

On a condition that he refrain from any union activity for a period of, say, ten

years.

That's a beautiful thought, Don.

It really is.

But it...

Isn't constitutional, is it?

No, it isn't.

But it would put him on hold for a while. By the time the court sorted all

who knows? He could be eating meat again.

Ha, ha, ha, yeah.

You hear that, Corky? What did I tell you about J. Donald?

You said he'd go through a brick wall for you. I did.

I said that.

Look, Don, what do we get out of all this?

We get bonus support.

That might be the only union endorsement you get, and it's a good one. It's

worth five million votes.

We're going to get the numbers this time, with or without Boda.

What else are we getting?

A continuation of a very warm and rewarding relationship.

Eh, could be better.

What do you say, Corky?

Maybe a little sweetener.

What they call, uh...

Political action support.

Sure. What do they have these organizing funds for, anyway?

You can start that intelligence unit, the one you were talking about for the

-election.

Tell Boda I can get his can off completely.

And he owes me for it.

The union will endorse my re -election.

And I want him to make a contribution of one million dollars.

Two million.

Cash. What?

Yeah. I want him to deliver the two million to you in cash on a strictly

business basis. Ten days after he gets Kruger freed.

I don't think... Don't. It's a good idea not to.

It's your decision, of course, but this might be construed as a form of...

Blackmail? By that greaseball?

We help to put him in, we can help to put him out, and he knows it.

Frankie Boulder is not exactly what you would call a pushover, sir.

What are you saying to me?

I'm the President of the United States.

I'm sitting here with my finger in the dike. I'm sitting here all alone while

every two -bit radical, every mush -mouthed faggot conman is trying to

this Constitution on its ass and turn the country into a commie prison farm.

It's about time freeloaders like Boda start paying their share.

Because if they don't, and mark my words, there just isn't going to be any

democratic system left for them to rip off.

I guess I'll get right on it, sir.

Yeah. Yeah, you do that.

Who the hell do these guys think they are? They think I'm going to lie down

them?

Well, how about some lunch, Don?

Why don't you stay for lunch, Don?

I just had some prawns flown in.

Strategic Air Command dropped them off.

They were in the Yellow Sea yesterday.

We can watch the Redskins on TV.

They're going to have a hell of a season this year.

Thank you, but I think I'd better get going.

Somebody watching the dead night Watching the street for any sign of

life Call out the search for that one mistake This loudest ripple

might be all it takes So you plan your every moment And you hit

your every mark But you spend your every minute in

the jaws of the child

These jaws of a shark.

You hold your body like a battle seal.

Never flinching at the fear you feel.

Before you know it, you couldn't be no more.

Because you're the one they might be looking for. So you jump into the water.

But you're diving in the dark.

And you learn to love the danger in the jaws of the shark.

In the jaws of the shark.

What in the hell is going on here?

What are you trying to pull?

What's this walkie -talkie for?

What's going down, huh?

Nothing. I'd let you off, but my part...

See, he's a real meaty. He gets real crazy. He doesn't get, uh, taste.

That's fine.

Consider it as, uh, protection.

All right.

We've got customers.

Civilians are more competent.

I can't tell, but they're making a hell of a racket out there. They're going to

wake up the whole street.

Okay, you let them in.

Take the front desk. I'll back you up. Come on, let's go.

We'll need a room for tonight.

I'm sorry, we're completely booked up.

Look, that's ridiculous.

I want to talk to the manager.

He's tied up at the moment.

I suggest you try the pier.

How about the pier?

Oh, come on, honey. Just get us a room, huh?

I've got to get off my feet.

Come on, you've got something. You people always keep something tucked away

emergencies. Sir, the Savoy is a very popular hotel.

It's always good to book in advance.

Come on, you people always keep an extra room for the last minute big shots. You

can't tell me you don't have an extra room.

I'm sorry.

Well, here's something that might help persuade you.

Sir, we just don't have any more rooms. I suggest maybe the pier, the plaza.

Look, it's goddamn cold out there, and I'm not going out there again, and I'm

not going to drag this little lady out there either.

If you insist.

I do insist.

Okay, I think maybe we can accommodate you. This way, please.

What's this?

A sticker?

You can't do this. Don't turn around.

Don't worry, folks.

It's all on the house. Come on. Try them. I'll put them where the rest.

Make it snappy.

We've got to get the show on the road.

Thank you for coming down.

I get my exercise in every day.

Keeps the gut down, you know?

Yeah, I can see that. Oh, she's beautiful, isn't she?

Listen, I'm running late. I got a plane to catch. Is there someplace we can

talk? Yeah, come on, come on.

Don, have a drink.

No, thank you.

The president is willing to go along with the deal.

Pardon for Harry if he signs a condition restricting him from any union activity

for ten years. Ten years?

That's long enough for me.

A lot of things can happen in ten years.

Well, that's beautiful, Don.

When do you want the endorsement?

As soon as possible. Some early union backing could help a lot right now.

You can have it by the end of the week.

You just give my law guy like two days' notice.

Listen, we're going to have to get together. You call me the next time

the city. We'll have lunch, right? I'm not quite finished.

Oh?

There's some cash involved.

Some cash involved? Like a baseball deal?

And I throw in a short stop and... Come on.

I'm serious.

Two million dollars cash.

You're not serious, Donnie. You're crazy.

Two million dollars cash?

That's it.

Mm -hmm.

And where am I going to get $2 million?

All right, Frankie, don't waste my time talking to the guy who helped Harry set

up that organizing fund.

$2 million, just like that.

How'd you guys arrive at that particular figure? I mean, why not $3 million, $5

million, $10 million?

Fair market price.

Come on.

Look at it this way.

For a relatively small sum, you're solving all your problems.

It's just a business deal.

One president to another.

Well, you could tell your president that this president says no, N -O. You tell

your president he's not getting a cent from me. Thank you. Hey, hey, hey.

The man is serious.

He wants a contribution, a show of faith. If he doesn't get it, he'll

Harry without any conditions whatsoever.

He's not going to do that.

You know he would. He is a very strong -willed man.

He's a rightful pretty.

Exactly.

When do you people want your bond of flesh?

You tell your president he's not getting one cent from me until he delivers his

end of the deal.

No problem.

He trusts you.

He'll spring Harry on Christmas Eve. He wants you to deliver the cash to me ten

days after delivery, ten days after Harry is on the street.

That's the business deal between two presidents, huh?

It's all business, Frankie.

Nothing's personal.

Don, you got a plane to catch.

I hope you understand what I mean.

I can't sign this.

You know I can't sign this.

Oh, you can sign it.

You can sign it, Harry, because it's your ticket out of this place. My ticket

nowhere. What am I going to do when I get out?

You can always spin cotton.

Huh? Sit at a spinning wheel like your new idol, Mahatma Gandhi.

He wouldn't make this deal either.

It is your best and only option.

What the hell it is?

Come on, Harry.

You've got nearly two million dollars coming from a pension fund.

You'll be able to travel.

Spend time with the family, relax.

Relax?

How am I going to relax? Some retirement village?

Maybe play backgammon all day.

Or do I sign that away, too? The only job you cannot take is union activities.

That's the deal.

Only union activities? That's my life!

My whole life you can't walk in and take that away from me. You're cutting off

my hair.

I never killed anybody.

You manipulated union funds, Harry. You broke the law, and what's worse, you got

caught. You brought this all on yourself.

Yeah, I'll finish it myself.

No conditions.

Tomorrow I announce my hunger strike.

Nothing but water and bicarb. It's like dandy. Sorry you feel that way about it,

Harry.

Because they're not going to let you do that.

They're not going to let me do it. They can't stop me.

You know this place is going to be swarming with oppressed people you can't

Jack Anderson, Mike Wallace.

Naturan Gatsi.

Who? He was the fanatic who assassinated Gandhi.

Oh, yeah.

Just like some nut's going to whack you, Harry.

If they wouldn't risk it.

They'll make it look like a prison fight.

Some religious nut who's going to be upset with you wearing your sheet and

making a mockery of Gandhi.

He'll take a shank that he made out of a spoon.

He'll come up to you in the yard and he'll take that shank and he'll slip it

right into your heart.

It'll look like a religious thing.

Do you understand?

Not political at all.

Come on, you're bluffing.

Harry, you were my teacher. You taught me never to bluff. Now take the deal!

I know it sucks, but it's the only one you've got. Now, later on, if you want

double -cross Frankie and the president, that's your business. But if you get

shanked in that yard, and believe me, you will, it's all over. They wouldn't

dare. You know why?

Killing me ain't enough. My boys wouldn't let my spirit die.

And if I'm dead, it's tough on the president.

He's got nobody to deal with. Harry, you're not Joe Hill.

You're Harry Krueger.

You've been a one -man show all your life, and if you die, that show's over.

owe it to your dreams to stay alive, Harry.

I'll tell you something else.

That condition that you're going to sign is not constitutional.

You'll be able to bust it in court in a year.

It just so happens I have another copy of the agreement.

You're some piece of machinery.

You bet I am.

Don't you see, Harry, I make it all work.

While you and Boda and the president march up and down your stage, play your

little games, stroke yourself in public, shout and stamp your feet and call your

press conferences and count to see how many times you get your names in the

papers. I do the work, Harry.

I put it all together. I read the fine print. I check the precedents. I even

crap if I have to, because if I didn't, you heroes would flush this country down

the toilet.

Why do you do it?

I love the action.

Sign it.

I got a plan to get.

America is really something, Mickey.

Knocks you out when you contemplate the opportunities.

Here I am.

What am I, after all? I'm a skinny kid from South Philly who's had a few

Here. Now, tonight, I'm going to sit down as an equal.

and break bread with prime ministers and ambassadors and sheiks.

Yeah, good company you keep.

I heard about that sheik.

You know, his bodyguards, they invented this device.

It goes right from a transistor radio right to your organs.

When they turn the volume up, you're right on your mother.

You're just jealous, Mickey. You want everybody to eat with you at Burger

You know, you're becoming a real social climber. You wear that, Frankie.

If you can talk to crowds and keep your virtue or walk with kings, don't lose

the common touch.

Listen, I'm the first vice president of organizers.

Why don't you save that flowery crap for the first vice president of public

relations?

And what the hell did you get me up here for? To help you get dressed?

Well, you need something organized.

Well, I'm trying to improve your image.

And I need your help to improve mine.

What's up, Frank? Are you worried about Kruger? Of course I am. He's going to be

on our back in another month.

And for the pleasure of his company, we're being held up by Washington for

million bucks.

You didn't really go for a deal like that, did you? I had to.

I had no choice.

Send him a picture.

I hate to be ripped off like that.

That's going to get around, too. You know what that's going to do to our

What if we lie down and take it? Yeah, you're so right.

That's why I want to see you. I want you to figure out some sort of scenario to

bail us out of being blackjacked.

All right.

First, you've got to tell me, how's the money supposed to be paid?

I've got to pay him the money in cash.

Ten days after they spring Kruger.

And the president's new bag man is our very own lawyer, Don Tucker.

In Washington?

That's tough.

Right here in New York City. I like to keep the home court advantage.

I see you're figuring maybe we tie a little string on the package.

Keep talking.

If all you promised was to deliver the cash, then some unscrupulous bastard...

could conceivably steal it from Tucker.

After you make the delivery.

After you fulfill your part of the bargain.

That's right.

If they can't hold on to their wallets, if they're careless, that's not our

problem.

Could you actually see something like that happening?

Is an elephant heavy?

The president's re -election committee keeps a suite at the Hotel Savoy.

Now, Tucker stays there if he has to spend the night in New York, but he's

to be pretty secure there.

Not necessarily. Somebody good can make the snatch there.

And out of town, maybe somebody who's been inactive for a while can be a clean

job. Cleaner than clean, Mickey.

There can be no tracks.

And whoever does this job has got to be his last one forever, because we can't

have a guy like that walking around, now can we?

It seems like a waste of talent. And another thing, the cash.

It's already been accounted for. I took it out of special allocations and I

can't very well put it back.

That's a shame.

I really want this thing to go right.

Because I'm sick and tired of seeing the elected officials of this country

betray their sacred trust.

They've got to understand they are servants of the people, not their own

And we're the people. Right, Frankie?

Right.

Right, Mickey, now you got him.

Here's no crab, and therefore look not sour.

There is.

Show it. There is.

Show it.

Had I a glass, I would.

Take it into my face.

Well aimed, of such a young one.

Oh, by St. George, I am too young for you.

Yet you are withered.

Tis with cares.

I care not.

I'll chase you if I dare. Let me go.

I'm going to get that nose over you so you can use it again.

Sit down.

Oh, how bad were we?

I mean, you're not going to pull extra rehearsals on us again, are you, coach?

Ouch! No extra rehearsals.

Listen,

folks.

I got a plan.

A very serious plan. A plan for our future. Look, I don't mean to be abrupt.

It's time for me to give you my notice.

I go leave the company for a while anyway, so you might as well leave me

your plans.

You're joking. You can't be serious.

I am serious.

I would never be flip with you.

How long have you been thinking about this?

Something that came up a couple of days ago.

And how long do you plan to be gone?

I don't know.

You should find somebody to replace me, even on a permanent basis.

Julian, are you all right?

I'm okay.

You get a big job someplace, Julie?

That's right, Ron, a really big job.

Can they use us, too?

No, this is a job for experienced professionals.

Professionals?

The Foundation pays us to do these plays. Doesn't that make us

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Shut up, Dixie.

Don't lie to me, Julian.

We've been together for two years. I can't stay married that long.

Now, you wouldn't walk out on us unless a guy had a gun to your head or a bag of

money in his hand.

I spent time in jail for burglary.

Shortly before we organized this group, I was involved in a jailbreak. I don't

want to go back there. I just can't take it.

The people that helped me escape are very serious people.

My God, that's incredible.

Now get off, Dixie.

They let you off the hook for one job?

If they blackmail you once, they can blackmail you again. Maybe they're

bluffing. What's in it for them if they lock you up?

Go on.

They could trade me for a favor from the DA. One of their people would get a

reduced sentence in exchange for me.

Well, what are you going to do then? What I have to do. Look, you were great.

You were wonderful.

You've been doing outstanding work for months. You might as well get somebody

else.

Damn it, Julie.

I don't want to give us up.

Besides, you need us.

How so?

We're different.

The four of us.

You know what I mean.

Yeah, I know.

All right, that's it.

I'm going with you. You need somebody to back you up. Somebody who's going to be

with you all the way. You're not robbers and you're not criminals.

You weren't actors either before you taught us. That's the first time we've

heard about this. I think it's great that you want to help, but you'd flop in

this way and you don't just get bad reviews.

Julie, like I always say, one for all and all for one.

Julie, you got a gang.

No, Ron.

I got a family.

It is good news this Christmas Eve for Harry Kruger. He was released from

today after more than three years behind bars.

They're playing Hail to the Chief.

That's my song.

He was one of this country's most powerful labor leaders.

And tonight, he's free with some strings attached.

Relax, boss.

They're going to pay for that little song.

The president pardoned Kruger after he agreed to give up union activities for

ten years.

Two million bucks for that song.

It's a bargain.

The action was not without political criticism.

I'd call it a steal.

Among those at the prison's gates to greet Kruger was Frankie Boda, the

present leader.

You've been to the hotel?

Yes. Well, it's doable.

What's that?

That's for the money.

Why that?

Because 50, 40 grand stacks will fit exactly in that case, and that case will

fit in the safe at the Savoy.

Nice and precise.

Your reputation isn't bullshit. You got something for me?

Sure I do.

Payment number two.

Final payment on delivery.

One more thing.

What's that?

A couple of my guys got to come in there with you.

No, no way. Just my own people.

One guy. Just one. We work alone and we don't work.

You don't let me do this job on my own with my own people.

You can take your job and stuff it. A couple of my guys going along with you

help. Why? What are their specialties? Safe cracking or head breaking? I don't

need any muscle men messing up my job.

Listen, don't get on your fucking high horse with me.

You know, you don't do this job my way. You know what the consequences are.

Look, you want this job done on a specific date.

You don't have time to replace me.

Now, what about the delivery?

Now, let me worry about that.

I don't want any of your people hanging around outside waiting for us to finish

up. Because at that time in the morning, the streets are empty.

And any person or vehicle hanging around is going to attract attention, and

attention means the police, and that means trouble.

So just tell me where and when to deliver the money, and don't interfere

operation.

Wait a minute.

You mean you want me to take your word of honor that you're going to show up

with the money?

It took the police three years, and they still haven't found me. It took your

people three days.

Well, they didn't need you as bad as I did. So they don't know where to find

but you do.

So no kibitzes waiting outside while the gig is going down.

All right, we'll work it out.

Listen, I thought you'd like to know.

You were set up for that fall you took.

Well, you know a lot about me, don't you?

Well, I wanted the best, so I checked you out.

Ugly bugger, isn't he?

Anything else?

No, that's it for now.

So listen, where and when can I reach you between now and then?

Don't worry, I'll ring you.

Merry Christmas, love.

I'm always amused by this ritual you go through with the president's portrait.

You know, it's funny, but even his presence in a picture makes me feel like

having fun at his expense.

I can't tell you how happy I was when you called me. I didn't expect to hear

from you again for weeks.

You know I never turned down a chance to come to New York. I know. I know you

try, but I miss you.

I miss you, too.

Sometimes I wonder.

How can you say that? I'm here, right? You had business in New York.

I don't have to stay over. I stay over because I want to be with you.

And sometimes I think you could try harder. You could come to New York more.

I'd certainly go to Washington once a week if you wanted me to.

We've been over this a hundred times.

Washington's like living in a fishbowl. When I walk my dog, my wife gets ten

reports on where it stops to pee.

Oh, Donnie. It's true. Just the other day I was walking Rex through the Rose

Garden. Rex?

You didn't tell me your dog was named Rex.

My son named him. His real name is Oedipus Rex. We just call him Rex for

Oh, my.

The president wouldn't like that at all, would he? He'd have a fit.

I don't know. He says he believes in motherhood.

I know a Donnie Tucker that nobody else in the world knows.

I hope that's your call.

So do I.

Order down.

I'll be back in a few minutes.

What would you like?

Surprise me.

You know I'll surprise you.

Son?

Happy New Year.

Same to you, Frankie.

I'm glad to find you in such a good mood.

I said a few things last time I shouldn't have, but what the hell, we

what we have to do.

New Year.

Fresh start.

I'm glad you feel that way about it.

Is this our contribution?

Yep.

Let me give you some light. Let's just see what you're going to get.

Look at that.

Looks kind of harmless laying there like that, doesn't it?

That's all yours.

Don't spend it in one place.

Sorry I had to make you lay over like this.

Oh, no problem.

Well, let me get you a couple of tickets to a show, arrange for a little

looking.

No,

no, I'm going to sack out early tonight.

I'll get a good start in the morning.

Thanks anyway, thank you.

Don, have a good flight.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Good evening, Mr. Tucker.

Would this fit into your vault?

Sure.

Would I be able to get to it at any time, just in case? We've got security

call 24 hours a day.

Would you just go check for me? Make sure it fits in there, please. It's very

important.

Thanks.

Plenty of room.

Couldn't be safer. You just sign right there.

Are you sure it's going to be okay in there, huh?

It's safer than safe.

Great. Here's your copy.

Thanks. Hey, listen, one more thing.

Hold all my calls, okay?

Oh, sure.

You bet, Mr. Tucker.

So this is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Let me see.

Oh, this is the stuff that Pacey's made of.

And why do they bother to put it in their safe?

In case of a robbery. They claim a loss in the real ones.

So what do they do with the real ones?

The real ones they sold to a fence years ago.

Oh, you can't trust anybody anymore.

You know what's finished?

It's hard to tell.

You getting antsy?

Yeah, I guess so.

Don't worry.

We're going to make it.

What's that? Oh, it's that hooker.

Better take a look.

You pack up the letters and address books.

Is that a problem?

Look, we're almost finished up here. You can hold it, okay?

I'll have a heart. I'm dying.

I took a diuretic for my water retention, you know.

And I'm going to burst.

Dixie, I need you.

Somebody's out there. I know it. I can feel it. A little while ago when I

I got something for you to do. Come on. Will you listen to me, please? A truck

passed and one of the high beams caught a glint of something like binoculars

from a window about eight stories up. And those curtains, they keep going back

and forth and back and forth. Too many Westons, Dixie.

You've been watching too many westerns. The Duke was always seeing the sun glint

off the barrel of a gun.

Come on, don't worry.

Cops never attack before dawn.

I'm afraid their souls won't get on the pad.

Now turn around.

Now, look, he's watching you. Oh, please, two seconds. Give me two seconds

get started.

That's all you get, two seconds.

Don't look.

I'm not. Come on, hurry up, go.

What the hell you got there?

Okay,

lover boy, on your feet.

Slow and easy.

Where shall

I

catch you, butterfly?

Across your pericranium?

How about the groin?

One, two, one, two.

And at Dakota's end, I hit.

Maybe we can make a deal.

What do you want?

That guy, our recent check -in? Yeah. He needs to talk to us.

What's on his mind?

We'll find out in a minute.

Bring him into the lobby.

What is your problem?

Okay, what's it all about?

You're making a big mistake.

We work for the government. We're not here to rip you off.

There's a top official in the hotel. The car that's supposed to be guarding him

disappeared. The hotel is surrounded, folks.

No sale.

It isn't true.

It is.

Look, we don't know who those people are. They must be gunmen.

We came in undercover. Check it out.

What's the name of this top official staying at the hotel?

Can't tell you that.

Put him back in the office.

Wait, wait a minute. Look, if you don't call a contact number in five minutes,

they'll call him. You know, this man's beeper goes off, and when he calls in,

when our people know he's safe, they're going to come at you like the 7th

Cavalry. Shooting, buddy.

Okay, let's wrap it up. We don't have much time.

Are we finished?

There are people who may think so.

It's the only time I don't ever think about anything.

I don't think about Boda.

I don't think about the president.

I don't think about Kruger.

You know, they're all the same.

Greedy.

Ambitious.

Selfish.

Egotistical.

Paranoid.

You know when it rains, they think it's a master plot to get them wet. Oh, yes,

yes, yes, yes.

Oh, I'm not going to think about them tonight.

And bless them all.

Did you ever hear that expression?

It means fuck them all.

Yeah, yeah, bless them all.

Bless them all.

Bless them all.

Bless them all.

Oh, shit.

What's that?

My beeper. Your what?

It's my beeper. I've got to answer it. It's the president calling.

Stay right where you are. I'm killing myself trying to get you off.

It's bad enough you're talking business all the time. You think I'm going to let

you start transacting business?

It's bad enough I have to start all over again.

From nothing.

Come here, Les.

I read you.

Listen up.

I've just placed an explosive device in this room, which I can detonate by radio

signal.

Don't let me hear any suspicious sounds for the next 15 minutes while we're

driving away.

I don't want to hear anything that will indicate that you're trying to get loose

and call the cops. Just 15 more minutes, folks, and nobody gets hurt. Good

night.

Ron, you ready?

Yeah, yeah.

Once more in the Greek, dear friend, once more.

Shut up, Dixie.

Come on, let's go.

All cars, Gold Coast Precinct, Robbery Progress Savoy Hotel.

Repeat, Robbery Progress Savoy Hotel.

All units, return to base.

All units, all there. Let's get the hell out of here.

Darling, am I ever glad to see you.

How do you feel?

That's hard to express.

Well, in that case, come back to bed.

Well, I really shouldn't. I've got an early flight to catch. I've got

something special for the president.

Why don't you give it to me instead?

There's very tight security in the basement and the employees area.

Julian, I want you to leave these maids a big tip.

They're terribly exploited by this hotel.

Okay, hold the top.

Hey, what's in this case?

It's the only loot we're taking out of the hotel.

What, you mean we're not taking all these jewels?

Phil, you're not robbers. I'm not going to make you robbers. What are you

saying, Julian, that we're not going to go through with this now?

Look. The only thing we want is right here in this case. And the only people

know about his existence are a handful of men who will vehemently deny any

connection to it. Besides, this is going to make our work worthwhile.

We give the rest of the loot back, the cops won't care.

Because nothing will be missing.

Dixie, you know the laundry chute three doors down?

Yeah. Take this stuff and drop it off with you, please.

Julie, there are chambermaids constantly going back to that chute.

We've got enough time, don't worry.

Okay.

Send the bellman up and have the bill ready.

See you guys down soon.

Hey, remember, this is the last act.

Wait a minute, wait, Dixie, wait.

Get out of here, Grandma.

Speed, is it okay if we photograph the cashier's office? No.

Absolutely no, Gabe. Nobody gets near that cashier's desk until after the

detective.

Finish up.

I just don't have any information myself.

What am I supposed to do about all my dining?

Sometime before 4... Oh, repeat. I've got to change the cassette.

Can you give me a statement within a few minutes?

Sometime before 4 a .m. this morning.

Three male Caucasians entered the hotel premises, handcuffed nine employees and

two prospective guests, and forcibly opened about 50 safety deposit boxes and

the main safe.

About two hours later, they made their escape in a gray limousine, which was

driven by a fourth male Caucasian. These were not equal opportunity employers.

Can you estimate the lobsters dollar -wise?

That'll take weeks, maybe months. How about a guess on the lobsters?

Well, it's a shot in the dark, but based on other cases like this, they could

have gotten one, maybe two million in Jules' cash and negotiations.

What's

the

work of amateurs or professionals?

Use your brain!

Anybody who brings along 24 pairs of handcuffs and pre -cut tapes and gets in

and out without firing a shot or bumping a head is all pro as far as I'm

concerned. Now, what was your other dumb question, killer?

Did you see anybody suspicious at all? Lady in New York, everybody's

Excuse me, ma 'am. I'm sorry. Talk to this lady right here. She'll fix you.

I'm

just

telling you, Mickey wants to see you. Mickey who?

You want to copy it behind me.

Otherwise, Howie's going to kick him all the way to the Bronx.

Yes,

I'll have him escorted to your office immediately.

Still don't understand what you two people were doing here. This is a New

police operation. Officer Moore, take these people downtown.

Yeah. Yes, sir.

So,

what do you have?

Those spooks are the only ones who talked to the perpetrators.

Or got a good look at them just before they left.

Who the hell are they, anyway? Officer Malazzi, it is none of your damn

business. They didn't give us a statement.

Nothing. I think you should book them as material witnesses.

I turned them loose.

Why? Because I talked to the commissioner and he said to turn them

thank them on the way out, so I did.

I'd let him kiss my ass.

Yeah, and you'll do it in uniform, too.

They're the best we had.

Them feds are all the same.

They stink.

Yeah? Tell me about it.

Everything is going absolutely fine. Chief, Mickey Bent's here.

I'll call you back, sir. Yes.

Well, Mickey Bent.

What are you doing here? This ain't your turf.

Yes.

No, I've already released him. Thank you. It's okay.

Relax, Howard. You're going to need all the help you can get.

So give me some.

I got a hotel robbery.

I got two federal spooks who are the victims.

Now a labor union big shot shows up. You want to tell me what's going on here?

We want to help. What are you going to do? Look a gift horse in the mouth? I'll

spread the word to my people. Tell me what you're looking for.

Sir.

Tell Costello to handle it. Yes, sir.

I'm looking for four male calculations.

That's it?

That's it. I'm looking for information from the street.

Somebody who saw them leave.

Good luck.

Mickey, come on. What do you know?

I can tell you positively, nobody saw them leave.

Did you release any of the other witnesses yet?

Yeah, the couple I just released, they said they saw the man talk to them.

Oh, gee.

Listen, I'm sorry I'm late. I forgot I left this guy in the lobby and I was

supposed to meet him. Nick, look, I'll come back up, all right, Chief?

Hey, buddy.

Come here. What did you think? You were going to slip out just like that? Hey,

beg your pardon.

What do you think you're... Hey, Sergeant, you want to keep those

a walk. You're obstructing justice.

How could you let them go? They're not the ones.

Oh, Jesus. Excuse me. Captain, would you see that these people get out of here?

Yes, sir. I apologize.

Don't do me any favors.

Besides, the people you were looking for were the fed.

Chief, they need that office right away.

That's our call right over there.

Darling, I'll never stay in this hotel again.

Yeah, sure.

No problem.

Yes, thank you.

You buy that story?

Sounds like we recovered the whole take, doesn't it?

Is that what you want me to tell the press?

I think we should tell them that we're not 100 % sure yet. It's going to take a

little while to check out what's been recovered against the claims.

What the hell would make those guys leave all that stuff behind?

Pete, just tell them it was one big prank.

Some playboys come in here. They want to prove they're real macho.

Tuxedos, limousines. They want to pull off a big job, make a clean getaway.

Probably coked up to their ears.

Howie, you don't really believe all that crap, do you? It beats leaving this

case open on the books.

I get out of here.

He's getting up?

No. I heard the news this morning. I decided to celebrate. I went back to

How could you sleep at a time like this?

Who said anything about sleeping, Mickey?

I'm glad I didn't disturb you earlier.

Yeah, I'm glad you didn't, too.

Bye, baby.

Take your coffee.

Where's the suitcase?

I don't know.

You don't know.

Want some coffee?

Did you hear me, Frankie? Yeah.

Yeah, I heard you, man.

And I really think you better have a cup of coffee.

You know, you can't trust anybody anymore, Frankie.

I mean, there's no values.

No word of honor.

Nothing counts, you know.

So it seems.

How did you lose control?

Everything got out of control.

I mean, I think even the guys that were doing the job lost control. Come on,

Nick, you don't believe that crap?

I don't know what to believe anymore.

Neither do I.

You know, Frankie, there were FBI guys outside staking it.

And we had to go outside and snatch them.

And it's going to be all hell to pay.

And you're going to have to deal with the Bureau yourself.

You mean I got to put up with all this crap? I don't get any money either.

All I know is everything was going down as smooth as glass.

And then all of a sudden, before I knew it, there were cops coming from every

direction.

I still don't know who tipped them off.

The guys you sent in with the safecrackers, what do they tell you

Well, they never wore any of my guys along with them because they didn't want

the outsiders interfering.

Jesus Christ, you're a dummy.

I was beginning to suspect that maybe you had something to do with this

money. By the hell, that would take brains and you got none.

You look at me like you expect to replace me someday.

Jesus, what a joke that is.

I'm going to get this fucking creep that I got to do the job. Forget him.

What he's going to do now is cause us trouble.

He died with Tucker.

He smelled something.

I thought he went for that layover too easy.

No other president did this to me, that slimy faggot.

I'm going to snap that son of a bitch like a skelly, and I made him, Mickey,

I'm going to break him.

He's going to slip up.

Sooner or later he's going to have to slip up because he's a loser.

And when he does, when he makes his one mistake, I'm going to be on him.

I'm going to be a goddamn monkey on his back. He's never going to get rid of me.

I'm going to use the newspapers, the Congress, the networks. I'm going to run

that son of a bitch out of the White House.

That silly shit is going to crawl out of Washington on his hands and knees.

I guess you've already heard about the robbery at the hotel last night, sir.

That hotel is the biggest cheater joint in New York.

Can you imagine all those Scarsdale jerks humping away upstairs while

downstairs was ripping them off?

Those jerks.

When I started working in New York, I used to take contracts over to the Savoy

Hotel to get them signed.

I've watched those jackasses pretend to read the contract.

They couldn't understand them.

Their brains were mud from too much humping.

I could get them to sign anything.

How'd it go?

Did Boda come through on schedule?

He kept his end of the bargain, sir.

Damn well better if he knows what's good for him.

Don, what are we going to do about Kruger?

Can't we shut him up?

He's been out now, what, ten days?

He's already giving interviews on penal reform.

The restriction he signed concerns only union activities, sir.

We know what that means.

He's keeping himself in the public eye.

I'm getting sick of Kruger.

Take a look at the fine print. Maybe there's somewhere we can put a lid on

Yes, sir.

Voter didn't give you any trouble, did he?

No, sir.

What did Corgi have to say?

I didn't see him, sir.

You were supposed to deliver the money to Corky, right?

Yes, sir.

Don't tell me that lardhead has snuck off again to Palm Beach.

I don't know what I'm going to do with him.

Get me Corky.

I was at the Savoy Hotel last night, sir.

Yeah? In the re -election committee suite?

Up to you, too.

Old Don tastes a little piece of the strange, eh?

Wait till I tell Corky.

He always thought you were a little ACD.

By the time I got the money last night, it was too late to make the last shuttle

flight to Washington, sir.

The money was in the vault at the hotel.

They got it?

They got it.

But the police, no.

The news said everything was recovered, all the jewels, everything.

Everything they think is missing.

Everything except your money.

I wasn't in a position to file a claim, sir.

Those sons of bitches set you up in their back and you're laughing their

off.

At me.

At the President of the United States.

Well.

Well, well.

Well.

Let them have their little laugh.

Let them think they've beat me.

But I've got four more years in this chair.

Four more years.

And we'll see who has the last laugh.

That's the cougar.

He's the one who started all this. We're going to put that clown where he

belongs. You get that, Don.

We'll see who laughs last.

And you, Don.

How did you let them do this to me?

What were you doing?

Where the hell were you while I was getting screwed?

Bless the thieves and the bandits.

Bless their hearts so small.

Save your breath.

Don't you damn them to hell.

You can't do nothing worse.

Then they do their dance skills.

There's people out there making it hard to have faith in this

world.

There's people out there doing their best to get more than they share.

And now the fuses touch the patterns and the

matches too.

There's people out there setting their sights on that big piece of

change.

There's people out there breaking the law.

Stay out of the game.

Someone's back into a corner.

Someone's neck is on the line.

And the man without connection does the

time.

That's the thief in the bandit.

Bless them

all.

Bless them all.

Bless them all.

Bless them all.